This invention relates to a form assembly for shaping a mortar such as cement, concrete or like material.
This invention relates to a form assembly comprising at least two sections including a longitudinally straight section and a longitudinally curved section. The straight section can comprise any suitable material, such as wood or plastic. The straight section can be rigid and provided with horizontal reinforcing ribs along its entire length. The curved section can comprise a resilient flexible material, such as plastic. A suitable plastic material for both the straight and curved sections, but particularly for the curved section, is a material sold under the trademark AZDEL, a product of PPG Industries, Inc. comprising a glass fiber-reinforced plastic. The plastic can be a thermoplastic. Examples of plastic include polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene. The material of the curved section is normally straight but is resiliently bendable into a curved configuration by flexing. The curved section is fastened or secured into a curved position when being used. The curved section is not provided with reinforcing ribs which can interfere with bending. The assembly can be disassembled after use and subsequently reused. Upon disassembly, the resiliency of the curved section allows it to reassume its straight condition.
More particularly, the form assembly comprises first and second form members. The first form member can comprise a first vertically standing wall member having upper and lower horizontal reinforcing ribs along the upper and lower edges on one side thereof. A portion of an end of the first wall is cut away to define a first segment of an interlocking joint. First openings aligned on a vertical axis are provided in the upper and lower ribs, respectively, in the vicinity of said first segment.
The second form member comprises a second vertically standing wall member. Upper and lower horizontal ledges are mounted at one end of the second wall member on one side thereof. The upper and lower ledges are disposed inwardly from the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the second wall member. Second openings aligned on a vertical axis are disposed in the upper and lower ledges, respectively. The end of the second wall member is cut away to define a second segment of the interlocking joint complementary to the first segment.
The upper and lower ledges overlap the upper and lower ribs, respectively, so that the first aligned openings and the second aligned openings are all aligned on a vertical axis with each other when the first segment and the second segment are interlocked. A pin extends vertically through said first aligned openings and said second aligned openings for securing the assembly and pinning it into the ground. The first wall member remains longitudinally straight while the second wall member is subsequently bent longitudinally and secured at its opposite end to maintain a curved configuration. When the openings in the ledges are close to or touch the inward edges of the ledges and the openings in the ribs are close to or touch the inward edges of the ribs, the joining pin gives a high degree of support to the joint upon bending of the second member.
This invention will be more fully understood by reference to the attached figures in which:
FIG. 1 shows a straight form and a curved form connected in operative relationship,
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exterior of an interlocking joint,
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the interior of an interlocking joint, and
FIG. 4 is a view of a connected interlocked joint.
FIG. 1 shows
form 10 comprising a vertical member having upper and lower horizontal
stiffening ribs 12 to provide a straight unbent section.
Stiffening ribs 12 extend outwardly at the upper and lower edges of
form 10.
Form 14 comprises bent vertical members which are resiliently flexed into a desired radius of curvature.
Form 14 can be attached at both ends, although attachment at only one end is shown.
Form 14 is normally straight and can be manually flexed and then secured into a bent condition.
Form 14 will spring back into a straight condition upon release. The forms are secured to each other and to the ground by vertical pins or spikes 16. The forms are used to contain and shape a bed of wet concrete or
cement 18.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ends of the forms are provided with interlocking complementary cut away connector designs, respectively.
Form 10 has
vertical web 21 with upper and lower horizontal ribs or
flanges 20 and
form 14 has
vertical web 23 with abbreviated upper and lower
horizontal ledges 22 at its ends. Ribs or
flanges 20 have vertically aligned
circular bores 24.
Ledges 22 have vertically aligned
circular bores 26.
Ledges 22 are offset slightly inboard from the outer edges of
web 23 by an amount sufficient to accommodate the thickness of
ribs 20, which are positioned at the outboard edges of
web 21.
Vertically aligned
bores 24 are located close to and substantially tangent to the inner edge of
ribs 20. Vertically aligned
bores 26 are located close to and substantially tangent to the inner edges of
ledges 22, as best shown in FIG. 3.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
forms 10 and 14 have complementary and
interlocking connector joints 28 and 30, respectively. FIG. 4 shows
joints 28 and 30 interlockedly connected with each other. At the same time,
outboard rib 20 is mounted above and in overlapping relationship with respect to inboard
ledge 22 so that
circular bores 24 and 26 are vertically aligned with each other. The assembly can be locked together and to the ground by means of
vertical spike 16 which is pushed through upper and
lower openings 24 and 26, respectively, and secured into the ground.
The close and substantially tangential or abutting positioning of
circular bores 24 and 26 with respect to their respective
vertical web members 21 and 23 allows
pin 16 to give support to the connection so that
form 14 may be bent into the desired curve without disturbing the connection with
form 10.
While we have illustrated and described a present preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves thereto and that our invention may be otherwise variously practiced within the scope of the following claims.